A cinema "in love" with the work of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is one of the best known and most representative playwrights and writers in the history of literature. His works have not only generated literal film adaptations, some have used universal plots created and popularized by him. This can be seen with Hamlet and The Lion King or with Romeo and Juliet and West Side Story. But within the films that are original adaptations of his work, there are some that have marked a before and after on the big screen: “Julius Caesar”, You too James Mason? “Julius Caesar” (Metro Goldwyn-Mayer) This 1953 classic was one of the first films to adapt a Shakespearean play. Directed by Joseph L. Makiewicz and played by Marlon Brando in the role of Marco Antonio and James Mason in Brutus, the film, like the play, does not seek to focus on the figure of Caesar, but rather everything that came after his death . Succession, betrayal and honor questioned before the Roman Empire entered a civil war. “Hamlet” and to be or not to be Kenneth Branagh “Hamlet” (Columbia Pictures) Kenneth Branagh directed this eternal adaptation (lasts 4 hours) adorning it with a colorful production and costume design. Something that contrasted with previous adaptations, which had been gray and somewhat gothic. Here the golds, reds and yellows shine as bright as the performances of a star-studded cast: Kate Winslet, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Judi Dench, Gérard Depardieu and Branagh himself who was also the protagonist. “The Merchant of Venice” Doesn’t Al Pacino bleed? “The Merchant of Venice” (UK Film Council) If something characterizes this adaptation of Shakespeare is the performance of Al Pacino as the Jew Shylock.The vengeful character wants to represent what his Christian enemies and neighbors already think he is. After a loan, the character of Pacino will ask for a pound of meat from the debtor if he does not pay back the money in time. “Macbeth”, Fassbender is the King “Macbeth” (Film4 productions) Better considered by critics than by Audience, this drama about unbridled ambition has one of the best cinematography ever made of a Shakespearean play. In addition to pointing out the two magnificent performances of Michael Fassbender as Macbeth and Marion Cotillard as his wife, Lady Macbeth. It was nominated for the Palme d’Or at Cannes for director Justin Kurzel and experts say it is one of the most faithful adaptations of the playwright’s work.